Why Cattle Implants Pay
Oct. 13, 2022
Implants are a great investment technology for cattle producers with one of the highest returns on investment. But how do implants work and how do they actually pay off in the long run?
How implants work
Implants are small pellets inserted into the ear of a calf. They slowly release a growth stimulant that helps increase growth factors that result in more lean muscle.
There are two different types of hormones used in beef cattle implants. There are naturally occurring hormones and synthetic hormones.
Naturally occurring hormones include:
Estradiol
Progesterone
Testosterone
Synthetic hormones include:
Zeranol
Trenbolone Acetate
Zeranol mimics estradiol and trenbolone acetate mimics testosterone.
How implants pay
Implants have a very solid ROI. Increases in daily gains of 15-20% can be expected in the feedlot. Feed efficiency sees a 6-14% improvement when an implant is used that includes both estrogen and androgen.(1)
While marbling scores are reduced with implants, ribeye area is increased by 3-4%. Overall carcass weight at harvest also increases when an implant is present.(1)
When it comes time to design your implant program, you’ll want to consult with a professional. They’ll be able to help you maximize the benefits of an implant program while minimizing the negative effects and help you meet your marketing goals.
Food safety
Growth-promoting implants are approved and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Beef that comes from cattle that have been implanted have similar estrogen levels as beef from non-implanted cattle.
This chart from Texas A&M University shows estrogenic activity in a variety of foods. For scale, a nanogram is the equivalent of one blade of grass on an entire football field.
Source: https://beefskillathon.tamu.edu/implanting-beef-calves-and-stocker-cattle/
Shop Animal Health products
All cattle implants are on sale through October 31. Shop implants from Elanco, Merck and Zoetis on the FBN® Animal Health store.
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Oct. 13, 2022